Bow liquid cargo handling system

ABSTRACT

A tanker bow products line handling system is adapted for connection to a mooring products line floating in the water. The bow products line includes a vertical opening in the bow of the tanker and has a winch mounted over the opening with proper handling equipment connected to the winch. The ship&#39;&#39;s bow products line terminates at the opening. The ship also has means for connecting from the ship to the products line floating in the water and for pulling the products line aboard ship through the opening for connection to the ship&#39;&#39;s products line.

United States Patent [191 Whitehouse Oct. 29, 1974 [54] BOW LIQUID CARGO HANDLING SYSTEM 3,605,668 9/1971 Morgan 9/8 P [75] Inventor: James W. Whitehouse, Weston,

Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix [73] Assignee: Continental Oil Company, Ponca Assistant Examiner-Shaina? Basmger City, Okla. Attorney, Agent, or F1rm-Wllliam J. Miller [22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 307,751 57 ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application priority Data A tanker bow products line handling system is adapted M 20 I972 Gre {Bn l2929/72 for connection to a mooring products line floating in a the water. The bow products line includes a vertical opening in the bow of the tanker and has a winch [52] U.S. Cl. 114/74 R, 9/8 P, 111210233807, mounted Over the opening with proper handling equipment connected to the winch. The ships bow ggg g g products line terminates at the opening. The ship also 114/ 5 236 7 has means for connecting from the ship to the prod- 141/387 ucts line floating in the water and for pulling the products line aboard ship through the opening for connec- [56] References Cited tion to the ships products line.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 9 Claims 7 Drawing Figures 3,409,055 ll/l968 Bily 9/8 P PATENIEnnm 29 1914 3844.240

sum 1 OF 5 PAIENIEDBBI29 m4 3 844.240

saw so: 5

BOW LIQUID CARGO HANDLING SYSTEM BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a system for loading or discharging cargo through the bow of a tanker at a single location rather than loading or unloading the cargo at manifolds located in the midship area.

This invention will reduce the time required to connect and disconnect loading lines.

This invention will also result in a substantial reduction in the length of the cargo hoses when the ship is loading or discharging from a monomooring facility. The shorter hoses will result in a substantial reduction in investment and also drastically reduce the possibility of damage caused by ships near the installation cutting into or damaging the hose and the additional length being subjected to additional wear and tear by the tankers as they come alongside.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent by referring to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bow of a ship showing the hose from the monomooring connected to the fluid handling system on the ship;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mechanism used to hold the hose after it is brought aboard ship and also shows in full view the elbow used to connect the end of the hose to the ship fluid handling system;

FIG. 3 is a top view taken through lines 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. '4 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the system in the process of connecting the pulling mechanism to the monomooring products line terminus;

FIG. 6 is a side view in partial cross-section of an inboard bow loading system; and

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the picture shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated.

For the sake of clarity, the same numbers will be used throughout the specification for similar parts.

In order to fully appreciate the invention, a knowledge of monomooring terminal operation is necessary. A brief description of the system usually consists of a floating surface which is large enough to house the operating personnel for the terminal. The platform contains the necessary lights, foghorn apparatus, radio equipment, etc. Since the platform is floating, it is anchored by several chains and anchor system to the bed of the body of water. A products line connects the onshore facility with the monomooring terminal. The portion of the products line which is subjected to wave action is made of flexible material. The outlet of the ship to mooring products line is mounted on the top of the platform, usually centrally, by a swivel connection, thereby permitting free movement of the line about 360. The platform also contains means for anchoring or securing the ship from its bow to the platform by chains, cables or other usual means. Thus the stern of the ship is normally free to swing with the wind and water currents reducing the anchoring forces necessary to hold the ship and monomooring in position. The hose or products line between the ship and the mooring is made of flexible hose of suitable diameter, covered externally with a flotation material such as plastic to permit the hose to float throughout its length in the water. An end cap is provided for the terminus of the hose to prevent entry of water into the products line and to prevent escape of oil into the environment resulting in pollution.

A ship generally referred to as 10 has a bow ll having a centrally and vertically located tube 12 mounted therethrough. Mounted above the tube is an A" frame structure 13. having a pair of pulleys 14 and 14 mounted at its apex. A yoke 15 has connected thereto chains 16 which connect between each end of yoke 15 and a stopper piece generally referred to by the number A wire cable 21 passes from a drum of a doublebarreled winch (not shown) over pulley 14, around pulley 23, over pulley 14, and to the remaining drum. The frame of pulley 23 is connected through a shackle 24 to the center of yoke 15. A stopper piece 20 (see FIG. 3) comprises a pair of l80 rings 30 and 31 which bolt together at 32 to form a continuous ring. Stopper piece 20 is secured in place by means of clamps and 61. These clamps rigidly secure the pipe 50 to the ship bow 11 during the on-loading or off-loading of cargo. The above provides a means for preventing pollution since the pipe cannot come loose from the ship by accident.

Shackles 33 and 34 connect to arms 35 and 36, respectively, of ring portions 30 and 31. As seen in FIG. 2, a shackle 33 connects a pair of chains 16 and 16 to yoke 15 through a pair of pivots 40. Shackle 34 connects to chain 16' and to yoke 15 in a similar manner.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an elbow 45 is attached through a flange 46 to a flange 47 which is connected to the end of a 24-inch hose 50. The other end of elbow 45 is connected through a flange 51 to flange 52 which is attached to the products line 53 of ship 10.

The flanges in all cases can be connected by means of bolts or other suitable means. It is also contemplated that hydraulic clamping systems already known in the art can be incorporated whenever the mechanical joints are mated where space will permit their installation.

A hand lift system comprising a chain hoist (see FIG. 1) permits a lifting means through chain 66 for placing or removing elbow 45.

A turnbuckle 64 removes the tension from pulley 14 after the system is completely connected.

A top view of the system shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and further describes the wire cables 70 which pass from the pulleys 14 and 14' through a pulley assembly 71 which is anchored at 72 to the deck of the ship to the anchor winch drums (not shown).

Operation The operation of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 is better illustrated by first referring to FIG. 5 wherein the ship 10 has, through operation of winch 80, let out wire cables 70, causing line 21 to drop yoke 15 through tube 12 and into water 81. A tug 82 or similar vessel has already picked up hose 50 out of the water at its end 83 by means of a crane 84 or other similar piece of apparatus. Yoke 15 is then fished out of the water by crane 85 and the chains 16 attached to the shackle 33 (see FIG. 2) by any suitable means such as a locking link or hook. Once the chains 16 are connected (the hose end 83 still retains a plate covering the hose, thereby preventing water from entering the hose) the cranes 84 and 85 lower the hose and yoke assembly back into the water where the crane ropes are then disconnected. Winch 80 then begins reeling in wire cable 70 pulling up cables 21 along with hose 50 into tube l2 and up to the position shown in FIG. 2 whereupon the assembly is locked into place by locks 60 and 611. Once the hose is secured, the chain 16' interferring with the positioning of the elbow is disconnected. Turnbuckles 64 are connected to the yoke, and chain hoist 65 is connected to the ring 94]) and used to pick up the elbow off the deck and move it into position over the terminus of pipe 50. The water protection plate (not shown) has been removed, whereupon the elbow is lowered onto the flange 47 and bolted to flange 46. Flanges 51 and 52 are then bolted together, and the system is ready for use.

The procedure for disconnecting the hose from the ship is the reverse from that described for the connection of the hose.

Cable 2B, which, of course, also constitutes cable 70, may be a 34-inch wire stranded cable for a 24-inch diameter terminal products line.

If regulations require, a keystone valve can also be installed at the elbow in order to prevent accidental dumping of cargo, for example, if the hose should be severed.

Internally Mounted Embodiment An apparatus operatingin substantially the same way as the system described in FIGS. ll through 5 but mounted inside the bow of the ship is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Ship 10 has a tunnel or tube 12 into the bow of the ship but not passing completely through the bow as in the preferred embodiment. Since the interior of the ship is exposed to water, a cover plate 100 shown in the open position is necessary to close the opening by rotating the cover plate 104) about hinges I06 and locked by latches 107. As in the previous embodiment a hose 50 has mounted thereto a stopper piece Zfl which has attached thereto a shackle 30 connected through a pulley 10R to wire rope 21 which passes over a spaced double pulley 14 to the anchor winch, not shown. Wire 211 is secured internally in the ship through a ring I02, shackle I03, and pivotal mounting 104. A ladder and platform arrangement 105 shown in dotted line may be used to permit a crew member or members to make the necessary connections and disconnections of the elbow 45 to hose 50. In the embodiment shown here, however, it is not necessary that elbow 45 be disconnected from flange 52, since the hose 50 can be pulled straight into the bow of the ship or axially in line with the centrally mounted elbow 45. Flanges 46 and 47 are then bolted in place, and the system is ready for use.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. I through 5 in that the hose is lifted out of the water by tug 82 and pulley 101 connected to the shackles 30. The entire assembly is then pulled up through hole or tube 112 into the ship so that flange 47 mates with flange 46. The water protection plate (not shown) has previously been removed. Once the flanges are bolted, the system is ready for operation.

It is obvious, of course, in the two embodiments shown that other embodiments are contemplated that are well within the skill of the art, and these are likewise intended to be covered by the claims of this application.

I claim:

I. A tanker bow products line handling system adapted to be connected to a flexible mooring products hose floating in the water comprising:

a. a vertical opening in the bow of said tanker;

b. winch means mounted over said opening and having a hauling rope therein;

c. a ships product line pipe having a terminus at said vertical opening;

d. means connected to said hauling rope for pulling said mooring products hose out of the water and up said vertical opening into a securable position; and

e. means on said bow nonrotatably securing said mooring products hose to said ship and to said ships product line.

2. A system as described in claim 11 wherein said means connected to said hauling rope comprises a pulley block, a yoke, means for connecting said block to said yoke, and means for connecting said yoke to said terminal products line terminus.

3. A device as described in claim I wherein said vertical opening comprises a tube passing through the hull to the deck of said tanker.

4. A device as described in claim I wherein said vertical opening comprises a door on the underside of said bow and means for opening said door to expose the interior of said bow having the ships products line thereover.

5. A device as described in claim I wherein said vertical opening has positioned thereover a pulley support means, a hauling rope passing over said pulley support means and having one end connected to a winch and the remaining end connected to said means for securing said flexible mooring products hose.

6. A device as described in claim I wherein said ships products line consists of a pipe connected to the hold of said ship and the remaining end positioned over said vertical opening so that the opening surface in said pipe is normal to the axis of said vertical opening and facing toward the water.

7. A system as described in claim I wherein said pulling means comprises an A frame having a plurality of blocks at its apex, a yoke having a block connected to midpoint of said yoke, said hauling rope passing through said plurality of blocks and said block to form a pulley system, a turnbuckle connectable between said apex and said yoke, and a plurality of chains depending from each end of said yoke for connecting to said flexible mooring products hose terminus.

8. A system as described in claim 11 1 wherein said pulling means comprises a flrst pair of pulleys axially aligned and spaced at least the diameter of said flexible mooring products hose, a pair of pulleys having means on their frames to connect to each side of the terminus of said flexible mooring products hose and where the said hauling rope consists of two ropes each passing through one of the first pair of pulleys and then passing through the second of said pulleys to a point of anchor.

said pulling means.

i l t 

1. A tanker bow products line handling system adapted to be connected to a flexible mooring products hose floating in the water comprising: a. a vertical opening in the bow of said tanker; b. winch means mounted over said opening and having a hauling rope therein; c. a ship''s product line pipe having a terminus at said vertical opening; d. means connected to said hauling rope for pulling said mooring products hose out of the water and up said vertical opening into a securable position; and e. means on said bow nonrotatably securing said mooring products hose to said ship and to said ship''s product line.
 2. A system as described in claim 1 wherein said means connected to said hauling rope comprises a pulley block, a yoke, means for connecting said block to said yoke, and means for connecting said yoke to said terminal products line terminus.
 3. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said vertical opening comprises a tube passing through the hull to the deck of said tanker.
 4. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said vertical opening comprises a door on the underside of said bow and means for opening said door to expose the interior of said bow having the ship''s products line thereover.
 5. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said vertical opening has positioned thereover a pulley support means, a hauling rope passing over said pulley support means and having one end connected to a winch and the remaining end connected to said means for securing said flexible mooring products hose.
 6. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said ship''s products line consists of a pipe connected to the hold of said ship and the remaining end positioned over said vertical opening so that the opening surface in said pipe is normal to the axis of said vertical opening and facing toward the water.
 7. A system as described in claim 1 wherein said pulling means comprises an ''''A'''' frame having a plurality of blocks at its apex, a yoke having a block connected to midpoint of said yoke, said hauling rope passing through said plurality of blocks and said block to form a pulley system, a turnbuckle connectable between said apex and said yoke, and a plurality of chains depending from each end of said yoke for connecting to said flexible mooring products hose terminus.
 8. A system as described in claim 1 1 wherein said pulling means comprises a first pair of pulleys axially aligned and spaced at least the diameter of said flexible mooring products hose, a pair of pulleys having means on their frames to connect to each side of the terminus of said flexible mooring products hose and where the said hauling rope consists of two ropes each passing through one of the first pair of pulleys and then passing through the second of said pulleys to a point of anchor.
 9. A system as described in claim 8 wherein the means for pulling said flexible mooring products hose out of the water additionally consists of a split ring, means for receiving said split ring around the terminus of said flexible mooring products hose, and connection means spaced around said split ring for attachment of said pulling means. 